Convalescent&#39;s pillow



Feb. 26, 1957 G. R. ERlcsoN 2,782,427

coNvALEscENTs PILLOW Filed Feb. 1l, 1954 1N V EN TOR.

'United States Patent O CONVALESCENTS PILLOW George R. Ericson, Kirkwood, Mo.; Mary A. Ericson, executl'ix of George R. Ericson, deceased Application February 11, 1954, Serial No. 409,562

1 Claim. (Cl. 5-338) This invention relates -to an improvement in pads or pillows for invalids which are constructed especially to provide a cushion support for the side of the trunk and head of the patient. More specifically, this invention relates to a pillow so constructed as to allow the patient to -rest comfortably on his side by providing even and uniform support for the trunk without placing any substantial pressure on the shoulder or arm.

Pillows contoured with special shapes are well known, but none, so far as I am aware, are suitable except as a support for the head or body in one or the other of two positions-face up or face down. The former position is not suitable except when the body is prone and, unless some change in position is permitted from the face-up position, the patient will become restless and be troubled with poor circulation.

The present invention is a pillow with a suitable surface to support the head. A recess below this surface accommodates the shoulder, and a connecting channel accommodates the arm. Below this recess the pillow is tapered to provide uniform pressure against the upper trunk. With this invention, the patient can rest comfortably on his side for long periods without disturbing the circulation in his shoulder, which would normally be under him and support an undue proportion of the weight.

The drawings illustrate one form of the present invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the pillow in use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one form of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring, rst, to Fig. 2, a pillow 1 is shown of generally rectangular coniiguration, and may be a thick pad of foam rubber or any other suitable resilient material. The pillow 1 has a surface 2 adjacent one edge which is suitable as a headrest, and a scooped-out portion 3 tapering in thickness to the opposite edge. Displaced slightly to one side of the middle of the pillow is a recess 4 of considerable depth, which may extend all the way e ICC through as shown. Connecting this recess and running diagonally toward a lower corner of Vthe pillow is a channel 5. In Fig. 3, the channel 5 is shown of substantially uniform depth throughout its length. One margin of the tapered port-ion 3 of the pillow ends on a line 6 inside of one edge and is co-extensive therewith, ending at a point approximately even with the middle of t-he edge of the recess 4. The other margin ends at the line 7 inside the opposite edge. The channel 5 defines the end of the tapered portion 3 between these margins.

Fig. l illustrates the pillow in use. In this view, the head is supported on the portion 2 of the pillow, and, because of the relatively large area provided, considerable latitude in head position is allowed. The patients shoulder is received within the recess 4 and if, as illustrated, this recess extends through the pillow, no pressure will be applied to the shoulder. Likewise, since the arm rests in the channel 5, the arm is provided with a cushion support but does not bear any of the weight of the body. The principal support for the body is provided by the scooped-out portion 3, which is contoured to support the weight of the body and thus relieve the arm and shoulder so as to permit free circulation of the blood in this body position.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the pillow is so tapered as to relieve supporting pressure on lthe shoulder and arm of the person while on his side, and that the contour of the pillow will provide uniform and even distribution of the patients weight.

It is contemplated that modifications may be made without departing from the invention vas defined in the appended claim.

Iclaim:

A pillow comprising, in combination, a pad of soft, resilient material of substantial length and width, an upper head-supporting surface for said pillow formed by one portion of said pillow, a second portion for said pil low having a scooped portion tapering lengthwise of said pillow for supporting the upper trunk of the body, a hole in said pillow located at the juncture between said one portion and said second portion to receive the shoulder, and a channel in said pillow extending from said hole at an angle to said second portion to remove the pressure on the upper arm whereby the pillow contour gives even distribution of weight.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,542,674 Dar-ling June 16, 1925 2,182,861 Albert Dec. l2, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 452,283 Germany Nov. 9, 1927 

